Driver blinded by sunlight strikes two women

A Temecula driver momentarily blinded by sunlight struck two women near the intersection of Pauba and Elinda roads Monday afternoon, authorities said.

The driver was traveling west on Pauba into the setting sunlight about 6 p.m., Temecula police Sgt. Jon Wade stated in a news release.

The sergeant said that, as the driver reached the bottom of a hill the vehicle entered into a shaded area under overhanging trees. "As the driver transitioned from having direct sunlight in their eyes into the shaded area, the driver drifted into the bicycle lane and struck two female pedestrians who were walking westbound within the bicycle lane," the news release states.

One woman suffered major injuries after she was thrown a substantial distance by the vehicle, while another received moderate injuries when she was struck by the driver's passenger side mirror, Wade said.

Both women were taken to a hospital for treatment. Information on their conditions was not provided Tuesday.